Wendy’s Announces It Will Close Hundreds Of Shops Nationwide; What’s That Mean For Maine?

Last year, they closed 240 locations nationwide. This coming year, it could be several hundred more.

According to the Associated Press, Wendy's, an Ohio-based business, disclosed its plans via a company-wide conference call on Friday. Arrangements are being made to close hundreds of stores over the next few months to offset this quarter's lackluster profits.

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"The company said it expected a 'mid-single-digit percentage' of its U.S. stores to be affected, but it didn’t give any more details...Ken Cook, Wendy’s interim CEO, said Friday the company believes closing locations that are underperforming – whether it’s from a financial or customer service perspective – will help improve traffic and profitability at its remaining U.S. restaurants."

While the company has not released a list of the locations it plans to close, those that remain open would likely be given an upgrade of equipment and/or infrastructure, along with a targeted marketing campaign to attract new customers.

There are currently 16 Wendy's locations throughout the state of Maine, including 2 stores in Augusta and Bangor, and stores in Auburn, Biddeford, Ellsworth, Lincoln, Orono, Portland, South Portland, Saco, Sanford, Topsham, Waterville, and Windham.

The original Wendy's location at Bangor Mall Blvd. was torn down in 2013 and replaced with a more modern version in the same spot.

The Union Street  Wendy's location, which was first opened in the late 1970s, was torn down in 2015, and a completely modernized replacement was built as well.

It was announced this past summer that another Wendy's was in the works for Brewer.

Read More: Wendy’s Is Coming to Brewer! Get Ready for Frostys & Fries

There's no word yet on which, if any, Maine restaurants will be affected by the company's closures, or if it will also have an impact on new construction.